The Market Harborough Round (6) Hallaton & Tugby

Starting point for this leg of the Market Harborough Round is the Church of St Michael in the village of Hallaton in Leicestershire. The village's name means 'farm/settlement on a nook of land'.  
The village is famous for the tradition of 'Bottle Kicking' as well as the 'Hare Pie Scramble' that accompanies it. More of this later I can promise you. 

As we pass the Church I notice a small museum of local history. I'm sure the 'Hallaton Treasure' gets more than a passing mention. In 2000 close to Hallaton the largest hoard of British Ion Age coins was found. The local metal detectorists were responsible for what turned out to be one of the most important Iron Age finds. Over 5,000 silver and gold coins dating to around the time of the Roman Conquest of Britain were discovered. Finds from the treasure can be found at the Harborough Museum. 

Walking in a clockwise direction we are soon out into some beautiful rolling countryside. The area is well known for being a 'hunting' location. The less said about that the better I think. To our right is Castle Hill. A very fine example of a motte and Bailey dating back to the Norman period of late 11th century or early 12th. Definitely one of the best examples of its kind in Leicestershire.   

The skies have been busy with aircraft activity of varying types. Probably a members gathering, as their didn't seem to be an Air Shows listed I believe the aircraft pictured above are 'Chipmunks'. Or if you prefer The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. A single-engined primary trainer aircraft designed and developed by Canadian aircraft manufacturer de Havilland. We arrived in the village of Tugby, 12 miles south of Leicester. It was a warm day so we popped into the village pub 'The Fox and Hounds' for a thirst quenching pint. The brew in question was from the local 'Parish Brewery' 'Burrough Hill'. Founded in 1983 is the second-oldest microbrewery in Britain. The brewery is located at the 'Stag and Hounds' pub in Melton Mowbray. Famed for the ‘Baz’s Bonce Blower’ brewed to an ABV of 12-13%. Back in 1984 this was brewed to a whopping 23% and held the Guinness book of records for strongest beer! 

The Fox Inn Hallaton

Back into Hallaton and we find the large Duck pond close to the Fox Inn. The 'Bottle Kicking mentioned earlier takes place each Easter Monday. Two teams attempt to retrieve the bottle which is actually a barrel to their respective village. The tradition dates back to before the 18th century. Local lore claims that the custom began when two ladies of Hallaton were saved from a raging bull by a startled Hare. Thus distracting the Bull and saving the ladies. From this and as thanks to God the vicar would provide a Hare Pi loves and Ale for the poor. The Hallaton villagers would fight each other for the food and drink, and on one occasion, the residents of the neighboring village of  Medbourne stole the beer! The Hallatonians didn't take this lying down and recovered the spoils. A tradition and fierce rivalry was born. 

The day starts with a parade through the villages of Medbourne and Hallaton. Locals carry a large hare pie and the three "bottles", which are actually small kegs or barrels. The pie is blessed by the Hallaton Vicar before being cut apart and thrown to the crowd for the "scramble". The game itself is pretty much a fee for all, with no rules. Except that there is no eye-gouging, no strangling, and no use of weapons..The contest is a rough one, with teams fighting to move the bottles over such obstacles as ditches, hedges, and barbed wire! The emergency services are certainly kept busy. Afterwards much drinking and banter takes place in the local hostelries.There is a rumour that  this was the pre-cursor to modern day Rugby Union.

Decorations are being put up on the village Green in anticipation of the Coronation of King Charles next week. No don't things won't be as lively as the 'Bottle Kicking.

It has been another great walk despite the lack of obvious points of interest. The scenery has been fantastic . A total of  10.78 miles walked.